Hanes | History Treftadaeth Llandre Heritage

info@llandre.org.uk

Cymraeg Home Walks History Events Projects Newsletter Join the Trust Contact us About the Trust

Llandre Home Community Council School Church Local contacts Links Location & maps

History and Records

The following summary of Llandre's historical heritage has been extracted from Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn (Randall Enoch, 2002) and Llandre Community Audit (Cambria, 2004).

?Llandre's Historical Heritage?

1. PREHISTORY [From Summer 2004 Newsletter*]
Mesolithic
About 10,000 BC, Llandre was situated well in land from the prehistoric coastline. The submerged peats on the foreshore at Borth indicate a partial covering of birch woodland, ideal hunting ground for aurochs, the wild ancestor of present day domestic cattle. An antler pick, flint scatters and a hearth found in peat to the north of Borth, provide evidence of hunting activity dating to this period.

Neolithic
Some 6,000 BC saw the arrival of the first settled farming communities. Neolithic stone axes were used to fell trees and create open farmland. Although there is no direct evidence of local Neolithic occupation, fields near Wileirog Uchaf named Cae Cerrig Cromlach Bach and Cae Cerrig Cromlach Mawr suggest the presence of Neolithic burial sites or chambered tombs called cromlechs.

Stoneage Axe

Bronze Age
The introduction of metal tools, about 3,000 BC, saw a large increase in the area of land farmed. An early Bronze Age axe-head made of copper has been found at Rhydypennau Bridge. Cremation was generally practiced, with ashes placed in urns buried under stone cairns (cerni) or standing stones. Local field names such as Pant y Carnedd and Cae Pant y Cernidd appear to refer to cairns, whilst nearby Maes Garreg Lwyd may refer to a former standing stone.
Newsletter Spring 2005

Roman Age
The Romans, during their occupation of Erglodd fort, exploited the valuable ore deposits in the area. A small level of Roman origin was found at Llwyn Adda in 1820. The Roman road, Sarn Helen, ran a mile to the east.

2. MEDIEVAL PERIOD [From Spring 2005 Newsletter*]

Early Medieval
The period after the Roman rule is often called The Age of Saints, in recognition of early Christian missionaries, e.g. Dewi and Padarn, and the founding of Welsh literary traditions. Whilst archaeological remains are sparse for this period, it is likely that an early Celtic church (possibly dedicated to St Ffraid) was founded close by the Ancient yew tree.

Early medieval Ceredigion was divided into small kingdoms or lordships, one such being Penweddig. The llys or court was the administrative centre of early medieval society and it is possible that Henllys ?Old Court? farm was so named for this reason.

The remarkable remains of a medieval wooden track way, recently excavated by Cambria Archaeology and dating to the 10th ? 11th centuries AD, indicates the frequent passage of goods (including possibly minerals and peat) across Borth bog to Llangynfelyn and beyond.

Medieval
The Normans first invaded west Wales during the late 11th century. Earthwork remains of a fine motte and bailey castle, Castell Gwallter, standing strategically above Llandre are proof of the intention to subjugate this area. Built by Walter de Bec c. 1110, it was soon over run by Welsh forces from the north. Indeed, it is said that stones from the abandoned castle were used to build a medieval church, named as Llanfihangel Castell Gwallter and dedicated to St Michael.

The ecclesiastical parish of Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn, which included seven townships, was created during the 12th century and cover a wide area, as indicated by the densely packed graveyard behind the church. In 1373 the sexton was paid four shillings a year to rebury exposed bones. At this time, the vicar received benefits from the fishing industry in Borth; these were used for cleaning the church and putting fresh rushes on the floor.

3. POST-MEDIEVAL PERIOD [From Autumn 2005 Newsletter*]

The post-medieval period spans the centuries between 1485 and the present day.
Throughout this period, Llandre remained as a small settlement (then known as Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn). It retained its rural character, with farming activities and associated services predominating, alongside peat cutting and metal mining.

Tudor period
In Tudor times, life of the country parson was quiet, unexacting and poor. The villagers collected tithes on behalf of the crown and allowed only a small amount to be paid to the vicar. The Church possesses a silver chalice dated 1573. From about 1600, village overseers and churchwardens became responsible for raising the Parish Rate to maintain the Church, relieve the poor and provide money for education. Parish business was carried out at Vestry Meetings, which often adjourned to the Black Lion (Croesawdy).

In the mid-17th century Glanffraid became the home of the Pryse family. Bridget Pryse was the mother of the renowned naturalist, antiquarian and Celtic scholar Edward Llwyd.

During this time, Llandre remained as a small cluster of cottages alongside the parish church. There was a corn mill and tannery by the bridge over the Afon Leri at Dolybont, whilst upstream was the site of an early iron forge, founded by a Quaker family in 1723, which later converted to a woollen factory.

Education and culture
Education was provided in a Charity School from about 1740, funded by various benefactors and legacies. Shortly afterwards, local education was supplemented by the Circulating Schools of Griffith Jones, with 245 parishioners reportedly attending during 1765. In 1806 a new Church Grammar School was set up as a free school for the children - although only boys are recorded as attending during the early years. Many scholars went on to Oxford and became successful leaders.

In terms of cultural history, Llandre has had associations with a number of interesting figures. One of the most prominent was J.J.Williams, Archdruid of Wales and author of a poem in praise of Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn. Dewi Morgan (whose son, Elystan Morgan rose to the House of Lords) was also a very talented poet who won the Chair at the Pwllheli National Eisteddfod in 1925. His contemporaries included J.T. Rees, a gifted composer, and Tom MacDonald, author of ?White Lanes of Summer?. The name of the local papur bro, ?Y Tincer? was inspired by this work.

[Extracted from Llandre Audit and Randall Enoch's Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn ? a Church History]

* Welsh translation available

©Hawlfraint yr awduron yw cynnwys gwreiddiol ar y safle. All original material on the site is copyright by the authors.
Crewyd y wefan/Website created by Technoleg Taliesin seiliedig ar lluniau gan / based on graphics by PerroCarto, Machynlleth & John Atkinson.

Admin/Gweinyddu